Chapter 4 Doing it all for love
“What's this? An interview?”
His question marks a final warning for me. Now that it turns out to be Evan Hector, the situation gets more horrifying because he knows I’m recording his voice secretly. But still, I fight for a lie.
“I… don’t know what you’re talking about.”
He stares down at my phone, then into my eyes. “Let me check it, maybe?”
“No!”
“No?”
“I-it’s my privacy!”
“I just want to make sure; I’m not interested in looking at your privacy like you’re so eagerly seeking mine.”
I gulp hard, my body tense as I hear that he knows my movements all this time. I 'stalked' him for a while because I want to know what kind of man Silvia cheated with—and make sure he had no bad intentions toward Martin.
This is a plot twist. The man I stalk actually knows I'm his stalker! Is this a sign to run? Because I think it is!
“Where do you wanna go?”
“Home, duh? I’m a little scared because a stranger asking to check on my phone and accusing me recording his voice.”
“But I could sue you if I really find the evidence. Give up now or regret it later.”
It almost catches me, but I do well by saying, “Be grateful I’m not recording your behavior right now and
broadcast it live so people would know your face!”
“Great. Do it. I like being popular anyway.”
I think I choose the wrong opponent. He’s a little off. I strike my heels to walk, then run—and guess what? He chases me.
“Wait! Wait, lady!”
I run faster until my sneakers hit the outside. People out of the building must be wondering about the anxiety on my face, but I don’t slow down. Unfortunately, I trip and fall hard to the ground, my face hitting the pavement, and I can feel my world spinning.
“Geez, lady. Are you okay?” I hear Evan’s voice above me, but my fear takes over, so I gather my consciousness as fast as I can and scream,
“Help! This man has been following me!” Now people—even security nearby—stop him, giving me some time to stand and run away.
I don’t waste a single second; I rush into the bus and head to the Williams residence. I don’t buy a gift yet, but I hope this is enough to save Martin’s life. He's not going to be with that witch—who wastes the second chance he gives her only for another jerk.
“I wish you realize my good intention, Martin….”
… and blood.
“Blood?”
I wipe my nose, blood flowing like my nose just got its first period.
“My dear, are you okay?” an old woman asks me gently, with full concern as she looks at my forehead. People look at me with the same empathy, and I grab my phone fast—looking at my face through its black screen, my eyes blurry but the red thing is clearly seen.
I freeze in terror. My forehead is bleeding—not serious, but a lot. I must have struck my face hard against the pavement’s rough surface.
“I look like a hit-and-run victim…” I murmur, and the old woman asks again,
“And are you one?”
“I’m not, ma’am,” I wipe the blood with my jacket, staining its grey color with red. I feel dizzy, in pain, and nauseous at the same time, but I force my body to walk down the bus fast—faster—until I arrive at the Williams residence; Martin’s mansion.
The party has already begun; people cheer for Martin’s 18th birthday. He's so happy, standing in the center. When he smiles, his pale skin turns pinkish with a soft glow. His white teeth are so perfect, and I’m sure he's delighted by the situation—unlike when he's in the same house with me.
But what irritates my eyes is Silvia, taking her spotlight beside him, clinging to his arm like he's her world—I know he's not.
“Happy birthday, my love. I wish you happiness and that you love me deeply.”
Silvia gives Martin a small black velvet box with a cute golden bow on top; Martin takes it subtly before dragging Silvia closer to his body and kissing her in front of the guests.
My heart sinks so hard I can barely swallow. My eyes grow teary—from the pain in my body and the break in my heart.
They're so happy, sharing that kiss while I'm here, at the very back of the guests, fighting for my love—holding back my blood just so I can save Martin’s future.
But if you think I'll stop here and walk home crying, that’s wrong. After people are busy enjoying the party, I take my chance to pull Martin into a corner near the pool.
“What the…,” he says after looking at my messy appearance.
“I know I look like a mess, but I just want you to know this, Martin.” I gather my courage, ready to strike like a final weapon.
“You’ve got to break up with Silvia.”
“What?” His tone is confused, his eyes judging.
“I know it’s sudden, but I have proof! Silvia never broke up with Evan and came back to him—she’s playing with you!”
He sighs, almost in disbelief before he speaks, “Why do you always love ruining my day, Estella?”
My eyes lock onto him; it’s rare for him to call me by my name, and when he does now, it’s now for something good.
“Do you think it’s easy to fix my relationship with Silvia? She’s trying so hard to be better for me, and now you suddenly come just to ruin her image in front of me—like you always did before?”
“Listen, Martin, you have to believe me. I told you before, a thousand times about her cheating, but you never believed me. Then you proved me right by seeing it yourself, right? Now you have to believe me because I’m not lying—I never was!”
I try to grab his hands, but it doesn’t work. I can barely reach him because my sight is terrible without my glasses, and I left them somewhere while running from Evan. When I finally do, he just pushes my hands away like I am dirt.
“Answer me one question, Estella—do you hate me?” he asks in front of my face. My heart trembles with fear and disappointment.
“No, Martin. How could I hate you?”
“Then why do you seem like you can’t let me be happy?”
“What?” My heart sinks; something inside my chest feels so heavy, like it drops from the top and hits the ground hard.
I think that’s already hard enough to answer, but then he adds something worse.
“Or do you like me?”
I can’t answer that, but I also can’t imagine what comes next.
“Tell me you’re not doing all this shit out of love, Estella! Or I… or I swear I’ll kill myself if I’m loved by someone like you!”
